Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kurt Okraku has urged the media not to exaggerate the wave of withdrawals that has left the Black Stars without several key players ahead of the start of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
The four-time African champions will face Côte d’Ivoire and Gambia in Group C, but preparations have been disrupted by the absence of Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew, Baba Rahman, Nathaniel Adjei and Alidu Seidu, who are unavailable because of injuries or personal reasons.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Okraku insisted the withdrawals are genuine and should not be linked to the Ghana Football Association or head coach Carlos Queiroz.
“Jordan Ayew has been one of the best players and one of the players we can always count on, but after an MRI scan, the medical team told Ayew and Baba Rahman to focus on their clubs, and we can invite them in the future,” he said.
Okraku also explained that Semenyo’s absence followed a physical reaction after featuring for his club at the weekend.
“Semenyo played over the weekend, and he had a reaction, which is normal. Antoine was willing to come, but the truth is that he had a swollen leg, which prevented him from coming.
“As a federation, we know the medical history of all the players.
“We should not overstretch this discussion because the situation at hand is real. These players are injured, and that is the fact, and it has nothing to do with the technical team or the Football Association.”
The injuries have prompted Queiroz to reshape his squad, with Brandon Thomas-Asante, Felix Afena-Gyan and Jonas Adjetey drafted in for the upcoming fixtures.
Rockson Yeboah and Rahim Ibrahim have also received their first senior international call-ups as Ghana look to begin a new chapter following their failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco.
The Black Stars travel to Bouaké to face Côte d’Ivoire on 24 September before returning home to take on Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium three days later.
Ghana will then round off the international window with a friendly against Morocco in Tangier on 4 October.
